Topic Contents

Cuts: When Stitches Are Needed

Topic Overview

It is important to determine if your wound needs to be closed by a
doctor. Your risk of infection increases the longer the wound
remains open. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or
closed with
skin adhesives (also called liquid stitches) within 6 to 8 hours after the
injury. Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours
after the injury.

Wash the wound well and stop the bleeding, then pinch the sides of
the wound together. If the edges of the wound come together and it looks
better, you may want to consider seeing your doctor for treatment.
If treatment may be needed, do not use an antiseptic or antibiotic ointment
until after a doctor has examined the wound.

The location and type of wound also affects how soon it should be
treated.

Wounds that have an increased risk of infection,
such as dirty cuts or crush injuries, are usually closed within 6 hours after
the injury. Occasionally a wound that has an increased risk of infection will
not be closed until after 24 hours, or may not be stitched at all, so that
adequate cleaning and antibiotic treatment can be done initially to prevent
infection.

A cut with a clean object, such as a clean kitchen knife,
may be treated from 12 to 24 hours after the injury depending on the location
of the cut.

A facial wound may be treated to reduce
scarring.

Treatment by a doctor is more likely to be needed for:

Wounds that are more than
0.25 in. (6.5 mm) deep, that
have jagged edges, or that gape open.

Deep wounds that go down to
the fat, muscle, bone, or other deep structures.

Deep wounds over a
joint, especially if the wound opens when the joint is moved or if pulling the
edges of the wound apart shows fat, muscle, bone, or joint
structures.

Deep wounds on the hands or fingers.

Wounds
on the face, lips, or any area where you are worried about scarring (for
cosmetic reasons). Wounds on the eyelids often need treatment for both
functional and cosmetic reasons.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.